Food Trucks on Maui

It was in 2011 when I first started the Foodtrucks on Maui Facebook page. That was the year I saw many food trucks starting on Maui and I thought it would be nice to help promote them online. Many food trucks have come and gone since then. There are few that successfully stuck around but many have sold their trucks which gave way to new food trucks (same trucks, different owners and menu).
Food Truck signage art was posted by Marie Z.Photo: Marie Z. on Yelp

Some of the food trucks owners decided to move to a more permanent location or inside a facility like the Shark Pit Maui in Lahaina. Some decided to have both food truck and a “brick & mortar” store like Donut Dynamite. Have you tried a donut from Donut Dynamite yet? Oh my, so yummy! The one with Poi topping is my favorite!

The food truck industry on Maui is alive and growing! I thought it would be great to feature some of them on this month’s Kwento-Kuwentuhan.

Since Fil-Am Voice is a Filipino-American newspaper, let us start with the food truck that serves Filipino food here on Maui. Introducing “Kusina Ni Jayboy” in Lahaina. It’s located next to the Maui Jim Store across from Maria Lanakila Catholic Church. It had great reviews on YELP. Here are a couple examples. Wahine 808 commented, “The best Filipino food in town! We always eat here because we know the food is not sitting in the warmer for hours. It’s always fresh and delicious!” And here’s Alexis’ review “This was a fun little food truck to stumble upon during our walk through of Lahaina. If I had more time, I would have tried the whole menu. Instead, we tried a couple of the BBQ skewers. We tried the BBQ pork and the intestines. Both were juicy, saucy, and came with a tasty vinegar dipping sauce. They were very tasty and I think the street vendors of the Philippines would be proud!” Alexis is a visitor from Reno, Nevada.

Grilled Pig Ear & Isaw was posted by Lixzel R.Photo: Lixzel R on Yelp

Since I live in Kīhei and rarely go to Lahaina, I must admit I have not tried “Kusina ni Jayboy” yet. But after reading all the great reviews, I think I will drive to Lahaina very soon just to have a taste of Filipino dishes they have. I wonder if they are serving halo-halo too.

Moving to another food truck—how about that Maui Fresh Streatery? Kyle Kawakami, the owner of Maui Fresh Streatery was a professor at UHMC and taught there for about 10 years. Kyle pursued his passion and in 2013 opened Maui Fresh Streatery. It’s been a very popular food truck on Maui since its opening. Maui Streatery was recently featured on popular Food Network television show, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with host Guy Fieri. Yelpers also love Maui Fresh Streatery and it has a high review rating. Here is an example from Feli of Hayward, California, “Best place ever. One of a kind distinct flavors amazing people came here on vacation looking for a unique eat and found it here! Recommend this place to anyone looking for something to make their bellys happy.”

So where are the food trucks on Maui located?
They are often invited to various events on Maui, like The Maui’s Town Parties. During Kīhei Fourth Friday’s town party, you can find many food trucks at Azeka Shopping Center.

You will also find many food trucks across from Costco Gas station in Kahului. There’s Like Poke?, Thai Me Up, Mo ‘Ono Hawai‘i bowls and Dino’s Gourmet On-The-Go.

At Home Depot Parking lot, there are two food trucks that just opened, Gyro, and Pua‘a BBQ Co. The owners of these food trucks are also creating a Food Truck Place in Kīhei at Līloa Drive (in between Safeway and Azeka Shopping Center.)

There are also many food trucks at the Kahului Harbor, especially on Saturday mornings, because that’s when the Maui Swap Meet is happening across the road from the Harbor. There at the Harbor you will find Geste Shrimp food truck, Alba’s Cuban Coladas and Aunty Lia’s Baked Goods.

Back in Kīhei, food trucks such as Big Beach BBQ Mākena, Aloha Thai Fusion and That’s a Wrap are usually at the Maui Brewing Company on Līpoa Street. There is also the Kina‘ole Grill food truck close to Kama‘ole Beach I.

We Filipinos love to eat and we love good food. Now I am waiting for a Filipino food truck to open in Kīhei. Can you tell I am now thinking of tinola, adobo and halo-halo?
Do you currently have a favorite food truck on Maui? Let us know!

Next time you stop at any of the food trucks and you take a photo to share on your Instagram, please use hashtags #FilAmVoice #FoodTrucksOnMaui so we can see and enjoy your photos as well.

Liza Pierce of A Maui Blog is an Interactive Media Strategist in Hawai‘i. She started blogging in 2006 and she loves talking story online and spreading aloha around the world. She’s been living on Maui since 1994 and considers Maui her home. A wife, a mother, a friend…and so much more. She loves Jesus; Maui Sunsets Catcher; Crazy About Rainbows; End Alzheimer’s Advocate. Her life is full and exciting here on the island of Maui.

Liza is currently the Interactive Media Strategist with Wailea Realty Corp.